Surf's Up
by David Winkler-Schmit"We wanted to have a cool place to hang out," he says. "My wife and I surf, and it was hard to get things we needed"
Surfers, or those who like the fashion and the surfing lifestyle will find what they need here. Owen and Chenet offer boards by Surf Tech and legendary surfer Robert August as well as numerous clothing lines, sandals, Sector 9 and Gravity skateboards, Nixon watches and a variety of other outdoor items.
The store's sandals help set "the vibe," Owen says. Sandals by Reef provide a soft air cushion for the heel and the Fanning model, a tribute to pro-surfer Mick Fanning, has a bottle opener built into the sole. For the environmentally conscious, there are Rainbow Sandals made of durable yet soft suede with soles that are guaranteed to last a lifetime.
The store has three of the top lines of walking shorts and board shorts: BillaBong, Volcom and Quik Silver. Women looking for apparel that allows them to be fashionable but able to run on the beach should check out Volcom and Roxy skirts and sundresses. There also is a selection of straw hats, and Owen produced his own line of T-shirts that includes a design of surfboards forming a fleur de lis.
The store also rents surf boards, and Owens will let you in on his two favorite Louisiana spots: Grand Isle and Fourchon.
Helpful Information
The Gulf Coast Building and Remodeling Expo, scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will provide a cornucopia of ideas, products and experts for those trying to rebuild or improve their homes. The expo includes hundreds of exhibits -- including prefabricated houses of the future -- and a variety of products and information. Workshops, seminars and demonstrations by exhibitors and government agencies will give consumers information on myriad topics including mold, plumbing, house raising and flood protection. For more information, call (630) 241-9865.
